Dietary Supplement Fact Sheets

A

• Acai
  • Acai Berry
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Herbs at a Glance: Acai
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Common names: acai, açaí, Amazonian palm berry.

  Latin name: Euterpe oleracea.

• Activated charcoal
  • Activated charcoal
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• African mango (see Weight Loss)
• Alfalfa
  • Alfalfa
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Aloe vera
  • Aloe Vera
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Aloe Vera
    • Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

  Common names: aloe vera, aloe, burn plant, lily of the desert, elephant’s gall
  Latin names: Aloe vera, Aloe barbadensis

• Alzheimer's disease
  • Alzheimer’s disease
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
• Andrographis
  • Andrographis and COVID-19 (see COVID-19)
  • Andrographis and immune function (see Immune Function)
• Antioxidants
  • Vitamin C - Consumer
  • Vitamin C - Health Professional
  • Vitamin C - Vitamina C en español
  • Vitamin E - Consumer
  • Vitamin E - Health Professional
  • Vitamin E - Vitamina E en español
  • Antioxidant Supplements: What You Need To Know
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Antioxidants for Athletic Performance (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
• Apple cider vinegar
  • Apple cider vinegar in dietary supplements
    • Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
• Arginine (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
• Ashwagandha
• Astragalus
  • Astragalus
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Common names: astragalus, bei qi, huang qi, ogi, hwanggi, milk vetch
  Latin names: Astragalus membranaceus, Astragalus mongholicus

• Athletic and exercise performance (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
• Vitamin A

B

• Bacopa monnieri
  • Bacopa monnieri: Is it safe to take in the military?
    • Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
• BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
• Bee pollen
  • Bee pollen
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Beetroot (beet juice) (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
• Berberine
  • Berberine and Weight Loss: What You Need To Know
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Berberine
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Beta-alanine (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
  • Creatine
    • Source: MedlinePlus
• Beta-carotene (see Vitamin A)
• Beta-glucans (see Weight Loss)
• Beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
• Betaine (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
• Bilberry
  • Bilberry
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Common names: bilberry, European blueberry, whortleberry, huckleberry
  Latin name: Vaccinium myrtillus

• Biotin
• Bitter melon
  • Bitter Melon
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Bitter orange
  • Bitter Orange
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Bitter Orange for weight loss (see Weight Loss)

  Common names: bitter orange, Seville orange, sour orange, zhi shi
  Latin name: Citrus aurantium

• Black cohosh
  • Black Cohosh - Health Professional
  • 2007 Black Cohosh Safety Workshop
  • Black Cohosh
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Workshop on the Safety of Black Cohosh in Clinical Studies (2004)
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)

• Blessed thistle
  • Blessed Thistle
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Blue-green algae
  • Blue-Green Algae
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Blueberry
  • Blueberry
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Boron
• Botanical Dietary Supplements
  • Botanical Dietary Supplements - Background Information
  • Botanical Dietary Supplements - Suplementos dietéticos de origen botánico en español
  • Herbs at a Glance
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  

• Brain health
  • Brain Health Guide
    • Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
• Branched-chain amino acids (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
• Bromelain
  • Bromelain
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Common names: bromelain, pineapple extract

  Latin name (for pineapple): Ananas comosus L.

• Butterbur
  • Butterbur
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Common names: butterbur, petasites and purple butterbur. Butterbur is also known under several patented standardized extract forms, such as Petadolex.

  Latin names: Petasites hybridus (also known as Petasitidis hybridus, Petasites officinalis, or Tussilago hybrida).

• Vitamin B1 (see Thiamin)
  • Thiamin - Consumer
  • Thiamin - Health Professional
  • Thiamin - Tiamina en español
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin B2 (see Riboflavin)
• Vitamin B3 (see Niacin)
• Vitamin B5 (see Pantothenic acid)
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B7 (see Biotin)
• Vitamin B9 (see Folate)

C

• Caffeine
  • Caffeine for athletic performance (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
  • Caffeine for performance
    • Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
  • Caffeine for weight loss (see Weight Loss)
• Calcium
• Calendula
  • Calendula
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Cannabidiol (CBD)
• Capsaicin (see Weight Loss)
• Capsaicinoids
  • Capsaicin and weight loss
    • Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
• Capsicum
  • Capsicum
    • Source: MedlinePlus
• Carnitine
• Cartilage (bovine and shark)
• Cascara sagrada
  • Cascara sagrada
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Cat's claw
  • Cat's Claw
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Cat's Claw (Uncaria guianensis)

• CBD (cannabidiol)
• Cesium
  • Public Health Alert Concerning Dietary Supplements Containing Cesium Salts
    • Source: U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
• Chamomile
  • Chamomile
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
• Chamomile (Roman)
  • Chamomile (Roman)
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Chasteberry
  • Chasteberry
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
• Chitosan (see Weight Loss)
• Choline
• Chondroitin
  • Chondroitin sulfate
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
  • Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Chondroitin is found in cartilage, the connective tissue that helps cushion the joints.

• Chromium
• Cinnamon
  • Cinnamon
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
• Citrulline (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
• Clove
  • Clove
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Cobalamin (see Vitamin B12)
• Cod liver oil
  • Cod Liver Oil
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Coenzyme Q10
  • Coenzyme Q10
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Coenzyme Q10 and Cancer
    • Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• Cola nut (kola nut) (see Weight Loss)
• Coleus forskohlii (forskolin) (see Weight Loss)
• Colloidal silver
  • Colloidal Silver Products
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
• Conjugated linoleic acid (see Weight Loss)
• Copper
• COVID-19
  • COVID-19 - Suplementos dietéticos en tiempos de la COVID-19
  • Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID-19 - Consumer
  • Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID-19 - Health Professional
  • Coronavirus and “Alternative” Treatments
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines on Vitamin C
    • Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines on Vitamin D
    • Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • NIH COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines on Zinc Supplementation
    • Source: National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Cranberry
  • Cranberry
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)

• Creatine
  • Creatine for performance enhancement (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
  • Creatine supplements: The basics
    • Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
• Vitamin C

  You can get enough vitamin C by eating a variety of foods including citrus fruits (such as oranges and grapefruit) and their juices, as well as red and green pepper, kiwifruit, broccoli, strawberries, baked potatoes, and tomatoes.

D

E

• Echinacea
  • Echinacea
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Echinacea and COVID-19 (see COVID-19)
  • Echinacea and immune function (see Immune Function)

  Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

• Elderberry
  • Elderberry
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Elderberry and COVID-19 (see COVID-19)
  • Elderberry and immune function (see Immune Function)
  • Elderberry: A Dietary Supplement for Immune Health?
    • Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense

  European Elder (Sambucus nigra)

• Eleuthero
  • Eleuthero
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Energy drinks
  • The Use and Biology of Energy Drinks: Current Knowledge and Critical Gaps
  • Energy Drinks
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Energy drinks and energy shots: What’s the problem?
    • Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense

  “Energy” drinks are marketed as promoting alertness, concentration, energy, weight loss, athletic performance, or stamina.

• Ephedra
• Essiac/Flor-Essence
  • Essiac/Flor-Essence
    • Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• Eucalyptus
  • Eucalyptus
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Evening primrose oil
  • Evening Primrose Oil
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis)

• Exercise and Athletic Performance
  • Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance - Consumer
  • Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance - Health Professional
  • Exercise and Athletic Performance - Suplementos Dietéticos para Mejorar el Ejercicio y el Rendimiento Físico
  • Bodybuilding and Performance Enhancement Supplements: What You Need To Know
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Caution: Bodybuilding Products Can Be Risky
    • Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

  Some dietary supplement ingredients are claimed to enhance exercise and athletic performance.

• Eye conditions
  • Eye conditions
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
• Vitamin E

F

• Fenugreek
  • Fenugreek
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum)

• Feverfew
  • Feverfew
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

• Fish oil (see Omega-3 fatty acids)
• Flaxseed
  • Flaxseed and Flaxseed Oil
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum)

• Fluoride
  • Fluoride - Consumer
  • Fluoride - Fluoruro en español
  • Fluoride - Health Professional
  • Fluoride & Dental Health
    • Source: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

  Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay.

• Folate
• Folic acid (see Folate)
• Forskolin (coleus forskohlii) (see Weight Loss)
• Fucoxanthin (see Weight Loss)

G

• Garcinia cambogia
  • Garcinia Cambogia
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) (see Weight Loss)
  • Garcinia cambogia and weight loss
    • Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
• Garlic
  • Garlic
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Garlic and immune function (see Immune Function)

  Garlic (Allium sativum)

• Gelatin
  • Gelatin
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Ginger
  • Ginger
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

• Ginkgo
  • Ginkgo
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Ginkgo
    • Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)

  Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

• Ginseng

  Asian Ginseng (Panax ginseng)

• Glucomannan (see Weight Loss)
• Glucosamine
• Glutamine
  • Glutamine and immune function (see Immune Function)
  • Glutamine for athletic performance (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
• Goji
  • Goji
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Goldenseal
  • Goldenseal
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)

• Grape
  • Grape
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Grape seed extract
  • Grape Seed Extract
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Grape Seed Oil (seed extract of Vitis vinifera)

• Grapefruit
  • Grapefruit
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Green coffee beans
  • Green coffee bean extract (see Weight Loss)
  • Green coffee beans for weight loss
    • Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
• Green tea
  • Green Tea
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Green tea for weight loss (see Weight Loss)

  Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)

• Guar gum (see Weight Loss)
• Guarana (see Weight Loss)
• Gymnema
  • Gymnema
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine

H

K

• Kava
  • Kava
  • Kava
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Kava (Piper methysticum)

• Ketones
  • Ketone supplements for performance
    • Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
• Kola nut (cola nut) (see Weight Loss)
• Vitamin K

L

M

N

• N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
  • N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and COVID-19 (see COVID-19)
  • N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and immune function (see Immune Function)
• Niacin
• Nitric oxide
  • Nitric oxide supplements
    • Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
• Noni
  • Noni
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Noni (Morinda citrifolia)

• Nootropics

O

P

• Pantothenic acid
• Papaya
  • Papaya
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Passionflower
  • Passionflower
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
• Pau d'arco
  • Pau D'Arco
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• PC-SPES
  • PC-SPES
    • Source: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• Peppermint oil
  • Peppermint Oil
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Peppermint (Mentha ⨯ piperita)

• Performance: Exercise and Athletic (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
• Phosphorus
• Pomegranate
  • Pomegranate
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
• Potassium
• Primary Mitochondrial Disorders
  • Dietary Supplements for Primary Mitochondrial Disorders

  

• Probiotics
  • Probióticos - Probiotics en español
  • Probiotics - Consumer
  • Probiotics - Health Professional
  • Probiotics and COVID-19 (see COVID-19)
  • Probiotics and immune function (see Immune Function)
  • Probiotics for weight loss (see Weight Loss)
  • Probiotics: What You Need To Know
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Probiotics are live microorganisms that may be beneficial to health.

• Propolis
  • Propolis
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Protein (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
• Psyllium (blond)
  • Psyllium (blond)
    • Source: MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
• Pyruvate (see Weight Loss)

R

S

T

• Tart or sour cherry (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
• Tea
  • Green Tea
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Tea
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
  • Tea and tea catechins and immune function (see Immune Function)

  Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)

• Thiamin
• Thunder god vine
  • Thunder God Vine
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
• Tribulus
  • Tribulus and athletic performance
    • Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
  • Tribulus terrestris (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
• Turmeric
  • Turmeric
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

V

• Valerian
  • Valerian
  • Valerian
    • Source: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)

  Valerian (Valerian officinalis)

• Valine (see Exercise and Athletic Performance)
• Vinpocetine
  • Vinpocetine: What's the status of this ingredient?
    • Source: Operation Supplement Safety, U.S. Department of Defense
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B1 (see Thiamin)
  • Thiamin - Consumer
  • Thiamin - Health Professional
  • Thiamin - Tiamina en español
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamin B2 (see Riboflavin)
• Vitamin B3 (see Niacin)
• Vitamin B5 (see Pantothenic acid)
• Vitamin B6
• Vitamin B7 (see Biotin)
• Vitamin B9 (see Folate)
• Vitamin C

  You can get enough vitamin C by eating a variety of foods including citrus fruits (such as oranges and grapefruit) and their juices, as well as red and green pepper, kiwifruit, broccoli, strawberries, baked potatoes, and tomatoes.

• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K

W

Y